Farmers market to help out family of slain weighmaster

Donations for the family of Grady Waxenfelter, who was gunned down on the job in Boring early in February, will be collected at the Oregon City Winter Farmers Markets third-annual Seedy Saturday Seed and Plant Swap, at Eighth and Main streets, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 29.

The market raised a little more than $4,000 for slain OCPD Officer Rob Libkes wife and baby, with a $1,000 matching donation from On Point Community Credit Union, so they wanted to make an effort to help the victims of this latest act of local gun violence.

A donation fund has been set up by the Clackamas County Peace Officers Benevolent Foundation (CCOBF), and 100 percent of donations at the market will go directly to the Waxenfelter family to help cover expenses.

Our Seedy Saturday is gaining momentum with our customers, and we thought that to have the collection on the same day would be beneficial for the Waxenfelter fund, said Jackie Hammond-Williams, manager of the market.

Hammond-Williams also hopes that by holding this annual event customers will be encouraged to grow their own seeds year after year, which will help the plants adapt to the local climate, soil type and produce a good seed stock for the communities resiliency.

Customers are encouraged to bring seeds saved from plants grown last summer or left over from prior seasons and to share them with their neighbors.

Plant divisions, bulbs, rhizomes, pots, catalogs and spare garden tools can all be shared at the event. The seeds should be labeled with variety, location grown, and any other pertinent information. Small seed packets will be provided, and experts will be on hand to help with their seed-saving knowledge, including Shaina Bronstein from Vitalis Organic Seeds.

Waxenfelter worked at the Clackamas County Road Department facility on Abernethy Road in Oregon City and went to school in Oregon City, where his parents still live. He left behind his wife, Tedra, two daughters, one married last year and the other a senior in high school, and a son in his late 20s.

Donations also can be made at any Clackamas County Federal Credit Union branch or can be mailed to CCPOBF, P.O. Box 678, Clackamas, OR 97015  with donations made out to CCPOBF with Grady Waxenfelter Fund in the memo line.